A 39-year-old female cyclist has serious but non-life threatening injuries after being struck by a garbage truck at the corner of Lesmount and Cosburn avenues on Sept. 12 at about 8:45 a.m.
A tweet from Toronto Police services shortly after the accident said the woman was reportedly pinned under the vehicle.
Toronto Police spokesperson Const. Clint Stibbe says both the cyclist and the driver, 47, were travelling westbound on Cosburn approaching Lesmount. The cyclist was hit when the garbage truck attempted to make a right turn into Lesmount.
The women was transported to the hospital by emergency run, Stibbe said.
Police spoke with the driver, took photos of the scene and said the investigation is ongoing.
Cosburn/Donlands cyclist struck,39 year old woman taken 2 hospital emergency run.Injuries are not life threatening.Witnesses call 4168081900 pic.twitter.com/8rSpKpYQYu
— TPS Traffic Services (@TrafficServices) September 12, 2017
“We are waiting for Commercial motor vehicle inspection team to arrive on scene,” Const. Stibbe said on the day of the accident. “They are going to inspect the vehicle to see if there is any mechanical deficiency that may have contributed to the collision.”
According to Toronto Police open data, the downtown area and Etobicoke have a higher rate of cyclist- related collision compared to the East York area from 2006 to 2016. There were 40 reported cyclist related collisions in 2016.
Cosburn is one of the many streets in Toronto that have implemented bike lanes.
However, cyclist Gale Fowler, 54, who was passing the scene, says drivers still need to be more aware especially when making right turns on the street.“[Bike lanes] only work if the drivers are cautious,” she said. “Especially someone who has an upgraded licence — they should know better!”
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Experienced bike rider Declan Keogh, 27, also cycling by the scene after the accident, has advice for both cyclists and drivers: “Just because there is a bike lane, or even if you have the right-of-way, it doesn’t mean people are going to give it to you,” Keogh said. “You got to recognize that, and not just ride straight ahead without looking.”
COLLISION
Donlands Ave and Cosburn Ave, report of a cyclist struck, serious injuries, pinned under a truck #GO1651562 ^cb— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) September 12, 2017
And for drivers: “Check your mirrors, don’t open your door without looking and try not to get mad when a cyclist gets mad, vice versa,” Keogh continued, “that often leads to problems that could be avoided.”
It's crazy out there. My 6-year oold was almost killed yesterday crossing McCrae. Driver decided to jump traffic and make illegal left turn.
— Tom Toth (@TomTothIron) September 12, 2017
